Steven McRae Named Australian of the Year in the UK
Royal Ballet Principal dancer Steven McRae has been named Australian of the Year in the UK, recognised for his outstanding achievements and contribution to cultural life in Britain. The award was presented at the Australia Foundation's Annual Gala Dinner in London, which brings together the UK–Australian community to celebrate excellence across a broad range of fields.
In accepting the honour, McRae reflected on the enduring connection he feels to his home country: "Although I have lived my entire adult life in London, there isn't a day that goes by without feeling the strong Australian Spirit within me. A spirit that Aussies are born with, not taught, or bought, and that has fuelled my constant desire to explore the extraordinary world we live in. This Honour is a Celebration of the Arts and I hope it is an example to the next generations of how the Arts and Dance in particular can unite, excite, and empower societies around the world."
The Australia Foundation, established in 2004, is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating Australia in the UK. Its annual awards recognise individuals whose work has strengthened Anglo-Australian connections, while surplus funds from the Gala Dinner support scholarships for young Australians pursuing education in the UK. McRae shared the evening with fellow award recipients, including musician Gary Barlow and rugby league player Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Born in Sydney, McRae trained with Hilary Kaplan before winning the Prix de Lausanne in 2003, which earned him a full scholarship to The Royal Ballet School. He joined the company the following year and rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming a Principal in 2009. His career with The Royal Ballet has been defined by artistry, versatility and remarkable longevity. He has performed all the major classical repertory alongside leading roles in works by Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor and William Forsythe, and has originated roles in numerous new works including Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Winter's Tale, Frankenstein and Woolf Works. A uniquely gifted tap dancer as well as a classical artist, McRae has brought his distinctive rhythmic flair to performances worldwide and guested with companies including American Ballet Theatre, the National Ballet of Canada, the Australian Ballet and Tokyo Ballet. His awards include the Critics' Circle National Dance Award for Best Male Dancer (2011) and he was previously named Young Australian Achiever in the UK in 2014.
McRae can next be seen at the Royal Opera House in Giselle (February–March 2026), Mayerling (April–May 2026) and La Fille mal gardée (May 2026).